Exactly 29 years since Motherwell beat Dundee United 4-3 to win Scottish Cup!

As a Motherwell FC fan, I can proudly say that it is still less than 30 years ago since we won the Scottish Cup, writes Craig Goldthorp.
Two of Motherwell's heroes 29 years ago today: Midfielder Phil O'Donnell and goalkeeper Ally Maxwell (Pic courtesy of Getty Images)Two of Motherwell's heroes 29 years ago today: Midfielder Phil O'Donnell and goalkeeper Ally Maxwell (Pic courtesy of Getty Images)
Two of Motherwell's heroes 29 years ago today: Midfielder Phil O'Donnell and goalkeeper Ally Maxwell (Pic courtesy of Getty Images)

But this is the last time that this proud boast can be made, as incredibly today (Monday, May 18) marks the 29th anniversary of the Steelmen’s unforgettable 4-3 triumph over Dundee United after extra time at a packed Hampden Park.

Looking back on that final now, I can safely say that I was spoiled rotten to be there as a 14-year-old kid who (or more accurately his parents) had only just purchased his first season ticket at Fir Park the previous summer.

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Virtually the sole reason for me wanting to sit and watch the ’Well every second weekend – I subsequently bought a season ticket for 25 years – was the late Davie Cooper.

I remember going to see him play for ’Well a few times in the 1989-90 campaign and this man was quite simply the most gifted footballer I have ever seen live (sorry Hans Eskillson if you’re reading this).

Quite how Motherwell manager Tommy McLean managed to prise him away from Rangers in the summer of 1989 for a paltry £50,000 I will never know.

Every game, Cooper would leave you open mouthed with his skill, vision, trickery and setpiece genius.

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Although he didn’t score in the Family Final – Tommy’s ’Well took on a United side led by his brother Jim – it was Cooper’s floated free-kick that broke for the late Phil O’Donnell to stoop heroically to head ’Well 2-1 in front and it was the number 11’s corner which super sub Stevie Kirk nodded past Alan Main for 4-3 to win the cup.

’Well’s other scorers on that momentous day in 1991 were Iain Ferguson and Ian Angus.